Chargers to sign DE Corey Liuget to multiyear extension

SAN DIEGO -- Defensive lineman Corey Liuget and the San Diego Chargers agreed to terms on a multiyear contract extension, the team said Tuesday.

According to a league source, the five-year deal is worth a little over $10 million a year.

"It's very important," Liuget said, when asked this week about completing the deal before training camp begins in late July. "It gives me a sense of relief a little bit. But overall, once it does get done I'll be very thankful that the Spanos family and the Chargers' organization wants me here, and that I'm a key part to helping our city and our team win a championship."

By giving Liuget a lucrative contract extension, the Chargers identified the 25-year-old as a foundational player and leader on the defense moving forward.

With older veterans like Jarret Johnson and Dwight Freeney no longer on the roster, it's a responsibility that Liuget takes seriously.

"I feel like I can do a pretty good job at it," he said. "And we're definitely going to get where we need to go."

A first-round selection by the Chargers in the 2011 draft, the University of Illinois product started all 16 games in 2014, playing a total of 733 snaps defensively. Liuget also led the Chargers in sacks for a second straight season with 4.5.

He finished with 57 tackles, two forced fumbles and two passes defended in 2014. Liuget also led San Diego with 19 tackles for loss and 18 quarterback pressures. He scored his first career touchdown by recovering a fumble in the end zone against the San Francisco 49ers.

At 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, the expectation is Liuget will blossom into a Pro Bowl interior defensive lineman for the Chargers. He has shown flashes during his four years in San Diego, with dominant performances at times.

However, the hope for San Diego is that Liuget takes over games on a weekly basis, as he did in winning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors in a Week 3 win at Buffalo. The Miami native also has proved durable, not missing a game over the past three seasons.

"Corey is a consummate team player who goes about his work in an unselfish manner," Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said in a prepared statement. "His preparation and dedication to the game and the Chargers has been evident since day one. Corey is talented, tough and durable, and plays a very important role in our defense. This extension is another reflection of our commitment to investing in our core players and homegrown talent."

Liuget said his focus during the offseason has been on improving his hand grip so he can take down more quarterbacks.

"I have a nice little hand grip circuit in the weight room that I do," Liuget said. "So when I do grab a quarterback hopefully I can tear his number off of his jersey and bring him to the ground. I missed a good three or four sacks this past year just because my hands wasn't strong enough."